Eyewitnesses say a crowd built up around the cordon in Stoke-Newington to eagerly watch the bizarre incident unfold. Metropolitan Police confirmed that they had to close the High Street near the junction of Church Street. According to ‘a local’ it isn’t the first time this has happened, with it taking two hours to sort out on a previous occasion.

Police attempting to negotiate. Shoppers laden with Whole Foods bags unsure whether to stay and watch or get their organic produce home asap — Daniel Dalton (@wordsbydan) December 1, 2015

The whole thing was documented on Twitter by Daniel Dalton, whose series of tweets painting a picture of the scene are actually pretty hilariously sarcastic.

Police chase an old man who ducked under the caution tape trying to get to the bank. Old man having none of it. — Daniel Dalton (@wordsbydan) December 1, 2015